Utility pants

ABSTRACT

Pajama wear, in the form of pants or shorts, with an easy accessed, manipulated and released covered front flap-opening for males with urinary urgency or incontinence and or impaired hand co-ordination or physical challenge. This U-shaped flap extending from immediately below the waistband to the crotch, when unfastened, falls downward to allow quick and convenient access to the male genitalia to allow for, but not limited to, urination into a hand-held urinal or a commode. A convenient access for patients and caregivers this route may also be implemented to facilitate urine collection via a hand held urinal, as well as but not limited to, catheter insertion, use care and removal and allowing for medical inspection of the genital area.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/954,659, filed Apr. 17, 2018, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/486,280, filed Apr. 17,2017. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to pajama wear or pants that provide a quick, easyand convenient opening to expedite the ability to undo the opening ofpajamas or pants for males, under conditions of urinary or personalurgency due to clinical conditions, personal convenience or clinicalprocedural needs.

Background of the Related Art

Urinary urgency or incontinence requires quick access to the malegenitalia for the standard process of urination. The slit opening ofconventional pajamas or pants, such as shown in FIG. 1 , and the natureof these clinical conditions, make undoing the opening in a timelymanner difficult and inconvenient. Individuals with impaired handco-ordination due to clinical or physical conditions and those who arenot fully mobile, also find difficulty in manipulating slit openings ina timely manner. These slotted openings also impart difficulty forindividuals and patients who are not fully mobile. The opening in theseslots are also not very wide and so access to the male genital isproblematic under the above circumstances. Standard use of a hand-heldurinal or for urine collection is made difficult under the aboveconditions as well. Insertion, use, care or removal of a catheter aswell as examination or observation of the genital and genital area, ismade difficult with a slotted opening and so the traditional pants haveto be fully removed.

Medical gowns are not always supportive of a patient's pride as theyoften leave the patient physically exposed. Double gowning is cumbersomeand inconvenient when urgent access to the male genitalia is required.For the sake of pride, dignity, institutional location or dwelling, anindividual or patient will choose to wear pajama pants or need to wearpajama pants or pants instead of a medical gown.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, existing solutions do not address the need for easy and quickaccess to the male genital for individuals with urinary urgency orurinary incontinence and/or hand co-ordination limitations. It is oneobject of the present invention to address the need for an easilymanipulated opening on a pair of pajama pants that will take intoconsideration, hand co-ordination limitations and timeliness inexpediting access and ease of access for the caregiver. It is a furtherobject of the invention to address the ease of closure of this opening.

These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of theintended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent whenreference is made to the following description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of prior art pajama pants having a slit openingsuch as a zipper;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the front flap-opening in the closed position,located immediately below waistband and with pull rings;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the front flap-opening in the closed position,located at the waistband and with pull rings;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the front flap-opening of FIG. 2 in the openposition;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the front flap-opening of FIG. 3 in the openposition with extended cover from the waistband; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of a front flap-opening in the closed positionwith an extended cover from the waistband.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing the illustrative, non-limiting preferred embodiments ofthe invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will beresorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is notintended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is tobe understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalentsthat operate in similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. Severalpreferred embodiments of the invention are described for illustrativepurposes, it being understood that the invention may be embodied inother forms not specifically shown in the drawings.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows an access assembly 5 in accordancewith one example embodiment of the invention. The access assembly 5 isshown formed in a garment 2, and particularly in the front top centerportion of the garment in the area surrounding the genitals of the user.The garment can be, for example a pajama bottom or pants, and iselongated to define a longitudinal axis, which is vertical in theembodiment of FIG. 2 . The garment 2 can have a waistband, such as anelastic band or a non-elastic device such as a string or rope.

The access assembly 5 generally includes a flap 20, opening 10, andrelease or engagement devices 30. The flap 20 can have a generallysquare or rectangular shape with two linear sides or side edges 22, 26and a linear bottom, bottom side or bottom edge 24. The first and secondsides 22, 26 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe garment, and the bottom 24 extends substantially orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis of the garment and to the two sides or side edges 22,26. The flap 20 also has a top or top side that can be positioned justbelow the waistband of the garment 2 (FIG. 2 ), or can form part of thetop waist 4 of the garment 2 (FIG. 3 ) or behind the waistband of thegarment 2. Thus, in the closed position, the flap 20 is part of thecontinuous waist of the garment 2. Thus, the sides 22, 26 extend fromthe top waist of the garment 2, vertically downward to just below thegenitalia area.

The flap 20 is releasably engaged to the garment along the two sides 22,26 by a respective engagement device 30, to form a front opening 10 inthe garment. The flap 20 is releasably engaged to the waistband or justbelow the waistband 4, and defined by two sides 22, 26 and a bottom side24. The flap 20, freely lifts to expose the front opening 10, whetherthe front opening 10, is in the opened or closed position. The opening10 has two sides and a bottom or bottom side. The first and second sidesof the opening are defined by first and second side portion edges 12, 16of the garment 2 and the bottom is defined by a bottom portion, bottomside or bottom edge 14 of the garment. The flap 20 fits over the opening10. The flap 20 is attached to the garment portion sides 12, 16 by arespective engagement device 30. The engagement device 30 can extendalong the entire garment side 12, 16 and flap sides 22, 26 from the topend of those sides to the bottom end of those sides and can be, forexample, a zipper 36, 38 (FIGS. 2, 3 ) or hook and loop (e.g., Velcro)strip(s) 37, 39 (FIGS. 4, 5 ), each having pulls or pull rings 32, 34.The flap 20 can be attached to the garment bottom portion 14 by a seamor can be integral with or part of the pants. The zippers 36, 38 extendsubstantially vertically on the pants 2 and move up/down in theembodiment shown, though other opening devices can be provided otherthan zippers or hook and loop fasteners.

The pulls 32, 34 are used to open the zippers 36, 38 by pulling thezippers 36, 38 down to open the zippers and release the flap 20. Thehook and fastener strip(s) 37, 39 also extend substantially verticallyon the pants 2 and the flap is pulled down by the pulls 32, 34 todisconnect the hook and loop strips 37, 39. In the open position (FIGS.4, 5 ), the flap 20 falls downward and rests along the garment bottomportion 14 and the flap bottom portion 24. In that position, the opening10 is fully accessible and the male genitalia are exposed. The malegenitalia can then be accessed through the opening. The zippers 36, 38and hook and loop strip(s) 37, 39 can be separately controlled, asshown, or can be interconnected with each other, such as by a string orcord. The flap 20 provides a much larger opening 10 so that the wearer,caregiver, examiner can easily expedite access. However, the opening 10is not so large that it would disrupt the grip that the garment 2 has onthe user's waist or that the garment 2 might otherwise fall down.

The zippers 36, 38 are zipped up by pulling upward on the zipper pulls32, 34 to refasten the flap 20 in place so the flap 10 is in an uprightposition. The hook and loop strip(s) 37, 39 are sealed by pressing themtogether so the flap is in an upright position. The opening 10 is closedand inaccessible, so that the genitals are not exposed. In the closedposition (FIGS. 2, 3 ), the top edge of the flap 20 forms a continuousedge with the waist of the garment. And the opening 10 is closed andinaccessible, so that the male genitalia are not exposed. The flap 20 isa cloth that is the same material as the pants. However, the flap 20 canbe different material. In addition, though the cloth is shown as beingsubstantially rectangular or square in shape, it can have any suitableshape.

In addition, the flap 20 originates at the top of the pants and the topof the flap can be located just below the garment waistband 4 (FIG. 2 )or can forms the top portion of the pants (FIG. 3 ) to be linear withthe rest of the top of the pants. However, the flap 20 can be located atother areas of the pants as may be suitable, and a zipper or otheropenable fastener can be positioned along the top of the flap 20, ifnecessary. The flap 20 can be sold as part of the pants, or can be soldas a separate member with zippers or hook and loop strip(s) that can bereadily sewn to an existing pair of pants at which an opening is cut orformed.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example embodiment of the invention. Here,the top of the flap is coupled with or connected to the waistband or topportion of the garment, and the bottom of the flap is free. In thisembodiment, the closed position of the flap is achieved by moving thezippers downward. And the open position of the flap is achieved bymoving the zippers upward and raising the flap upward to reveal theopening and expose the male genitalia.

As shown and described, the flap 20 is located at the front portion ofthe garment 2, and particularly at the top center of the front portion.The opening 10 defines a right front portion of the garment 2 thatincludes the first side 12, and a left front portion of the garment 2that includes the second side 16. The edge of the first and second sides12, 16 have a first fastening member, such as a first set of zipperteeth or Velcro strip(s), and the edge of the first and second sides 22,26 of the flap 20 have a second fastening member, such as a second setof zipper teeth or Velcro strip(s) that matingly engages with the firstset of zipper teeth or Velcro strip(s).

And as further shown and described, the flap 20 extends from the leftfront portion to the right front portion. And in one embodiment, thefirst side 22 of the flap can extend substantially to the center of theleft front portion, where the left front portion is aligned with theleft leg portion of the garment and the center of the left front portionsubstantially corresponds to the central longitudinal axis of the leftleg. And, the second side 26 of the flap 20 can extend substantially tothe center of the right front portion, where the right front portion isaligned with the right leg portion of the garment 2 and the center ofthe right front portion substantially corresponds to the centrallongitudinal axis of the right leg portion. And the center of the flap20 extends along the central longitudinal axis of the garment,substantially where the right and left leg portions meet.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example embodiment of the invention. Here theflap 20 extends from below the waistband (so that the pants don't falldown when the flap 20 is pulled down) and extends to fully or partiallycover the opening. The top portion of the flap 20 is free, and thebottom edge is coupled to the garment. In this embodiment, hook and loopfasteners are used, so that the flap 20 is closed by sealing the hookand loop fasteners together. The flap 20 is opened by pulling the pulls32, 34 downward, which unseals the hook and loop fasteners as the flap20 is pulled downward to reveal the opening and expose the genitals.

As further shown in FIG. 6 , a cover 50 is provided over the flap 20.The cover 50 has a top edge, bottom edge, and left and right side edges.The top edge is sealed at the waistband and the three other edges arefree. The cover 50 can be, for example, a rectangular shaped fabric orcover flap that extends at least partly over the flap 20. The cover 50can be the same size as the flap 20, or can be smaller or larger thanthe flap 20. The cover 50 can be integrally formed with the garmentfabric, and the flap 20 can also be integrally formed with the garmentfabric.

The cover 50 prevents inadvertent exposure of the male genitals, andprovides additional cover to any openings left uncovered by the flap 20in the closed position. The cover 50 has an opened position in which itis raised upward, and a closed position in which it hangs downward overthe flap 20. Accordingly, in operation, the user can lift the cover 50to reveal the flap 20. The flap 20 can then be pulled down by use of thepulls 32, 34. Alternatively, the user can pull the flap 20 down withoutraising the cover 50 since the loops 32, 34 extend outward to the sidesof the flap 20. In one embodiment, the pulls 32, 34 can be attached to asmall fabric tab member that extends outward to the sides transversely,so that the pulls 32, 34 extend outward from behind the cover 50. Thepulls 32, 34 are also located at or near the free side end of the flap20 or cover 50 to which they are attached.

Thus, the invention includes a U-shaped front-opening, in place of aconventional slit within the seam, on a pair of pajama pants that isfastened on both vertical sides by zippers, Velcro, or magnetic buttonsor fasteners. It may also be fastened by a continuous bi-directionalzipper that traverses the U-shaped opening. The U-shaped opening beginsat the waistband or immediately below the waistband and extends to justabove the crotch. It falls downward when unfastened. The flap is fullyor partially covered by an overlying extension from the waistband.

The invention has a number of benefits. For example, it allows easyaccess to the male genital for urination during clinical conditions ofurinary urgency or urinary incontinence. It also allows ease of accessfor individuals with impaired hand co-ordination and for caregivers. Itfacilitates urine collection for clinical purposes for males. And itallows a wider opening for access to the male genitalia thanconventional pants opening. It also allows the dignity and pride ofwearing clothing rather than a medical gown, and allows free hand use tothe patient or individual because of the downward direction of fall ofthe opened flap. It enables quick access to the male genitalia, easyopening and closure of the opening, and easy access to the male genitalfor clinical purposes without having to remove clothing.

One purpose of the invention is to provide clothing or pants, andespecially pajama wear, with easy and quick access to the male genitaliaunder conditions of urinary urgency or urinary incontinence. Theinvention provides easy manipulation of the opening for those patientswith impaired hand co-ordination and for caregivers. It provides analternative access for catheter insertion, use, care and removal withoutremoval of the pants. It also provides an alternative access forinspection of the genital area that does not require removal of thepants.

The invention is designed to have a U-shaped front-opening that startsimmediately below the waistband and ends just above the crotch area. Itmay also start at the waist area and end just above the crotch. Eachvertical side can be fastened by zippers, Velcro or magnetic fasteners.Ease of manipulation will be provided by pull rings at the top of theflap on the fasteners. Individuals will take hold of the fasteners bygrabbing or using a finger to pull on the ring. By pulling on bothfasteners, the flap will quickly and easily be released. Both fastenersmay be simultaneously engaged with one pull by connecting the pull ringsor fasteners with a sewing closure or cord or similar.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the opening may also befastened by a single zipper with dual direction that traverses theentire U-shape of the opening. Both heads of the zipper will have a ringattached for ease of gripping and pull. A Velcro or magnetic fastenercan also be utilized allow opening of the flap with a one-hand pull andwill also have rings attached for ease of gripping and pull. No buttons,hooks, grips, clasps or snaps are utilized as fasteners. The inventionhas a lining composed of athletic fabric which may or may not beremovable. The front-opening flap can also have two layers of fabric tobe formed to have a pocket with an opening to serve as a holder fordigital devices and other small items. The invention maintains dignityand pride in individuals and patients who prefer to not be encumbered bymedical gowns. The invention can be made from market branded sleepwearfabric comprising of but not limited to cotton, flannel and cottonblend, and would be available in different sizes.

The description given of the embodiments, use, operation,implementation, material, design and construction indicated invention isnot limited to what has been stated. What has been stated is simplyillustrative.

It is further noted that the description uses several geometric orrelational terms and directional or positioning terms, such as linear,vertical, parallel, orthogonal, top, bottom, and sides. Those terms aremerely for convenience to facilitate the description based on theembodiments shown in the figures. Those terms are not intended to limitthe invention. Thus, it should be recognized that the invention can bedescribed in other ways without those geometric, relational, directionalor positioning terms. In addition, the geometric or relational terms maynot be exact. For instance, walls may not be exactly perpendicular orparallel to one another but still be considered to be substantiallyperpendicular or parallel because of, for example, roughness ofsurfaces, tolerances allowed in manufacturing, etc. And, other suitablegeometries and relationships can be provided without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

In one example embodiment of the invention for adult pants, the flap 20can have a length of about 9 inches and a width of about 10 inches andthe cover 50 (if provided) can have a length of about 10 inches and awidth of about 11 inches, so that the cover 50 is slightly larger thanthe flap 20 and extends beyond the sides, bottom and top of the flap 20.In another example embodiment of the invention, the cover 50 can have alength of about 3 inches and a width of about 11 inches. In addition,the top edge of the cover 50 can be about 1-2 inches below thewaistband, and the top edge of the flap 20 just below that (either withor without the cover 50). Size will vary with population averagessimilar to a clothing chart size. The flap 20 can optionally have aninner absorbent layer. These pants will benefit all age ranges.Pediatric patients with clinical and physical/mental conditions toadults with similar conditions. Of course, the invention is not limitedto any particular size or dimension, and any suitable sizes anddimensions can be utilized within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In addition, while the invention has been discussed with respect topants and pajamas and being located on the front of the garment, othersuitable garments and garment types can incorporate the invention. And,the opening and flap can be provided in other locations on the garment,not just the front. For example, the opening and flap can be located atthe rear of the garment to expose the derriere or buttocks. The rearflap can be approximately 13 inches in length and 9.5 inches in width,for an adult, and attach at the bottom of the waistband. Once the rearflap is raised, it can be tucked into the flap or held upward, ifneeded. And a garment can have both a rear flap and a front flap, or canhave just a rear flap or just a front flap. The rear flap supportspatients with physical challenges in using a standard commode orperforming related sanitary functions. This access would also serve adual function for females in using the commode. For caregivers, itlessens the challenge of assisting the patient in using the commode anddecreases the physical stress of aiding a patient or loved one. Singlefront access, single rear access or dual access, all claims would applywithin gender and also across all ages. In addition, more than oneopening and flap can be provided in a single garment, such as one at thefront and one at the rear.

Within this specification, the various sizes, shapes and dimensions areapproximate and exemplary to illustrate the scope of the invention andare not limiting. The sizes and the terms “substantially” and “about”mean plus or minus 15-20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even morepreferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 1-2%. Inaddition, while specific dimensions, sizes and shapes may be provided incertain embodiments of the invention, those are simply to illustrate thescope of the invention and are not limiting. Thus, other dimensions,sizes and/or shapes can be utilized without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

Thus, in a first embodiment, the disclosure provides pajama pantssleepwear comprising: an upper circumferential edge defining an openwaist; a front half formed of flannel or cotton pajama sleepwear fabricmaterial; an opening formed in a front portion of the front half, thefront portion being substantially smaller than the front half, theopening defining a left front portion with a vertical left front portionside edge extending vertically downward directly from said uppercircumferential edge, a right front portion with a right front portionside edge extending vertically downward directly from said uppercircumferential edge, and a bottom portion with a horizontal bottomfront portion side edge; a flap having a square or rectangular shapewith a first flap side edge, a second flap side edge opposite the firstflap side edge, a top flap side edge, and a bottom flap side edge, saidtop flap side edge aligned with and forming a portion of said uppercircumferential edge, said flap formed of flannel or cotton pajamasleepwear fabric material; a first engagement device releasably couplingthe left front portion side edge and the first flap side edge; and asecond engagement device separate from said first engagement device,said second engagement device releasably coupling the right frontportion side edge and the second flap side edge.

A second embodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of the firstembodiment, wherein the bottom flap side edge has a length defining awidth for said flap of about 11 inches. A third embodiment includes thepajama pants sleepwear of the first embodiment, wherein the bottom flapside edge extends from the left front portion to the right front portionof said front portion. A fourth embodiment includes the pajama pantssleepwear of the first embodiment, wherein said flap has an openposition in which the first and second engagement devices are open andsaid flap folds down along the bottom flap side edge. A fifth embodimentincludes the pajama pants sleepwear of the first embodiment, whereinsaid flap has a closed position in which the first and second engagementdevices are closed and said top flap side edge extends substantiallycontinuously with the upper circumferential edge of said pants. A sixthembodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of the fifth embodiment,wherein in the closed position said top flap side edge is behind a waistband of said pants. A seventh embodiment includes the pajama pantssleepwear of the first embodiment, wherein said flap has a closedposition in which the first and second engagement devices are closed andsaid top flap side edge extends just below a waist band of said pants.An eighth embodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of the firstembodiment, wherein the bottom flap side edge is permanently coupledwith the bottom front portion side edge. A ninth embodiment includes thepajama pants sleepwear of the first embodiment, further comprising acoupling device engaged with the first and second engagement devices forsimultaneously uncoupling the left and right front portion side edgesand the first and second flap side edges, respectively. A tenthembodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of the first embodiment,wherein the opening and flap are aligned with male genitalia. Aneleventh embodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of the firstembodiment, further comprising a cover extending directly and at leastpartly over said flap in a closed position, said cover having a squareor rectangular shape with a first cover side edge, a second cover sideedge, a cover top edge and a cover bottom edge, and wherein the covertop edge is fixedly coupled just below a waistband of the pants and thecover bottom edge and first and second side edges are free so that inthe closed position said cover hangs freely at least partly over saidflap and in an open position said cover opens upward to reveal saidflap, and said flap opens downward.

A twelfth embodiment is provided having pajama pants sleepwearcomprising: an upper circumferential edge defining an open waist; afront half having a front portion with an opening defining a left frontportion with a left front portion side edge, a right front portion witha right front portion side edge, and a bottom portion with a bottomfront portion side edge; a flap having a square or rectangular shapewith a first flap side edge extending vertically downward from saidupper circumferential edge, a second flap side edge opposite the firstflap side edge and extending vertically downward from said uppercircumferential edge, a top flap side edge, and a bottom flap side edge,the bottom flap side edge coupled with the bottom front portion sideedge; an engagement device for releasably coupling the left frontportion side edge and the first flap side edge, and releasably couplingthe right front portion side edge and the second flap side edge; and acover extending directly over said flap in a closed position anddisconnected from said flap in both the closed position and an openposition, said cover having a square or rectangular shape with a firstcover side edge, a second cover side edge, a cover top edge and a coverbottom edge, and wherein the cover top edge is fixedly coupled to thefront half just below a waistband of the pants and the cover bottom edgeand first and second side edges are free so that in the closed positionsaid cover hangs freely over said flap and in the open position saidcover opens upward to reveal said flap and said flap opens downward.

A thirteenth embodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of thetwelfth embodiment, wherein the bottom flap side edge has a lengthdefining a width for said flap of about 11 inches. A fourteenthembodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of twelfth embodiment,wherein the bottom flap side edge extends from the left front portion tothe right front portion of said front portion. A fifteenth embodimentincludes the pajama pants sleepwear of the twelfth embodiment, whereinsaid flap has an open position in which the first and second engagementdevices are open and said flap folds down along the bottom flap sideedge. A sixteenth embodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of thetwelfth embodiment, wherein said flap has a closed position in which thefirst and second engagement devices are closed and said top flap sideedge extends substantially continuously with the upper circumferentialedge of said pants. A seventeenth embodiment includes the pajama pantssleepwear of the fifteenth embodiment, wherein in the closed positionsaid top flap side edge is behind a waist band of said pants. Aneighteenth embodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of the twelfthembodiment, wherein said flap has a closed position in which the firstand second engagement devices are closed and said top flap side edgeextends just below a waist band of said pants.

A nineteenth embodiment includes pajama pants sleepwear comprising: anupper circumferential edge defining an open waist; a rear half, anopening formed in a rear portion of the rear half, the rear portionbeing substantially smaller than the rear half, the opening defining aleft rear portion with a vertical left rear portion side edge, a rightrear portion with a vertical right rear portion side edge, and a bottomportion with a horizontal bottom rear portion side edge; a flap having asquare or rectangular shape with a first flap side edge extendingvertically downward directly from said upper circumferential edge, asecond flap side edge opposite the first flap side edge and extendingvertically downward directly from said upper circumferential edge, a topflap side edge, and a bottom flap side edge, the bottom flap side edgecoupled with the bottom rear portion side edge, said top flap side edgealigned with and forming a portion of said upper circumferential edge; afirst engagement device releasably coupling the left rear portion sideedge and the first flap side edge; and a second engagement deviceseparate from the first engagement device, said second engagement devicereleasably coupling the right rear portion side edge and the second flapside edge; and a cover having a closed position and an open position,said cover extending directly over said flap in said closed position andrevealing said flap in the open position, said cover having a square orrectangular shape with a first cover side edge, a second cover sideedge, a cover top edge and a cover bottom edge, and wherein the covertop edge is fixedly and unremovably coupled to the rear half just belowa waistband of the pants and is disconnected from the flap, and thecover bottom edge and first and second side edges are free so that saidcover hangs freely over said flap in the closed position and opensupward in the open position to reveal said flap and said flap opensdownward.

A twentieth embodiment includes the pajama pants sleepwear of the firstembodiment, wherein the front half and flap are formed of flannelsleepwear material. A twenty-first embodiment includes the pajama pantssleepwear of the eleventh embodiment, wherein said flap has a flap widthand said cover has a cover width, wherein said cover width is largerthan said flap width and said cover covers the entire flap width in theclosed position.

The foregoing description and drawings should be considered asillustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention maybe configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not intended to belimited by the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of theinvention will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, itis not desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosedor the exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

1. Pants comprising: a front portion having an opening defining a leftfront portion with a left front portion side edge, a right front portionwith a right front portion side edge, and a bottom portion with a bottomfront portion side edge; a flap having a square or rectangular shapewith a first flap side edge, a second flap side edge opposite the firstflap side edge, a top flap side edge, and a bottom flap side edge; afirst engagement device for releasably coupling the left front portionside edge and the first flap side edge; and a second engagement devicefor releasably coupling the right front portion side edge and the secondflap side edge.
 2. The pants of claim 1, wherein the bottom flap sideedge has a length defining a width for said flap of about 11 inches. 3.The pants of claim 1, wherein the bottom flap side edge extends from theleft front portion to the right front portion of said front portion. 4.The pants of claim 1, wherein said flap has an open position in whichthe first and second engagement devices are open and said flap foldsdown along the bottom flap side edge.
 5. The pants of claim 1, whereinsaid flap has a closed position in which the first and second engagementdevices are closed and said top flap side edge extends substantiallycontinuously with a waist band of said pants.
 6. The pants of claim 5,wherein in the closed position said top flap side edge is behind thewaist band of said pants.
 7. The pants of claim 1, wherein said flap hasa closed position in which the first and second engagement devices areclosed and said top flap side edge extends just below the waist band ofsaid pants.
 8. The pants of claim 1, wherein the bottom flap side edgeis coupled with the bottom front portion side edge.
 9. The pants ofclaim 1, wherein the top flap side edge is coupled at the waistband. 10.The pants of claim 1, further comprising a coupling device engaged withthe first and second engagement devices for simultaneously uncouplingthe left and right front portion side edges and the first and secondflap side edges, respectively.
 11. The pants of claim 1, wherein theopening and flap are aligned with male genitalia.
 12. The pants of claim1, further comprising a cover extending at least partly over said flap,said cover having a square or rectangular shape with a first cover sideedge, a second cover side edge, a top cover side edge and a bottom coverside edge, and wherein the top cover side edge is coupled just below awaistband of the pants and the bottom cover side edge and first andsecond side edges are free.
 13. Pants comprising: a front portion havingan opening defining a left front portion with a left front portion sideedge, a right front portion with a right front portion side edge, and abottom portion with a bottom front portion side edge; a flap having asquare or rectangular shape with a first flap side edge, a second flapside edge opposite the first flap side edge, a top flap side edge, and abottom flap side edge, the bottom flap side edge coupled with the bottomfront portion side edge; and an engagement device for releasablycoupling the left front portion side edge and the first flap side edge,and releasably coupling the right front portion side edge and the secondflap side edge.
 14. The pants of claim 13, wherein the bottom flap sideedge has a length defining a width for said flap of about 11 inches. 15.The pants of claim 13, wherein the bottom flap side edge extends fromthe left front portion to the right front portion of said front portion.16. The pants of claim 13, wherein said flap has an open position inwhich the first and second engagement devices are open and said flapfolds down along the bottom flap side edge.
 17. The pants of claim 13,wherein said flap has a closed position in which the first and secondengagement devices are closed and said top flap side edge extendssubstantially continuously with a waist band of said pants.
 18. Thepants of claim 17, wherein in the closed position said top flap sideedge is behind the waist band of said pants.
 19. The pants of claim 13,wherein said flap has a closed position in which the first and secondengagement devices are closed and said top flap side edge extends justbelow the waist band of said pants.
 20. Pants comprising: a rear portionhaving an opening defining a left rear portion with a left rear portionside edge, a right rear portion with a right rear portion side edge, anda bottom portion with a bottom rear portion side edge; a flap having asquare or rectangular shape with a first flap side edge, a second flapside edge opposite the first flap side edge, a top flap side edge, and abottom flap side edge, the bottom flap side edge coupled with the bottomrear portion side edge; and an engagement device for releasably couplingthe left rear portion side edge and the first flap side edge, andreleasably coupling the right rear portion side edge and the second flapside edge.